Nursing Assistant (starting in 2027)
Nursing Assistant
The Nursing Assistant training programme brings together the 27 nursing assistant training programmes previously regulated under state law. This creates a nationally standardised job profile with expanded responsibilities, which takes the pressure off qualified nursing staff and strengthens the provision of nursing care.
Job description
As a nursing assistant, you support registered nurses in providing care for people of all ages. You monitor patients’ health, carry out basic care tasks and assist with therapeutic care. Your duties include, for example, changing simple dressings and supporting those in need of care in their daily lives.
Thanks to the nationally standardised training programme, you will obtain a state-recognised vocational qualification that is valid throughout Germany. This enables you to work in various areas of nursing across the country.
You can learn the Nursing Assistant (starting in 2027) profession here
Key information
Career prospects
The standardised, nationwide training programme for nursing assistants prepares you for a career that is in high demand. You can work in many areas of care, from hospitals to long-term care.
Upon successful completion, there are excellent opportunities for direct entry into the profession across various areas of care. Nursing assistants are in demand nationwide and enjoy secure employment prospects.
With professional experience, numerous further training opportunities are open to you, for example in the areas of clinical supervision, wound care or palliative care.
The Nursing Assistant qualification forms part of a flexible education system within the care sector. The qualification can facilitate the transition to training as a registered nurse and may be credited towards further training.
Entry requirements
To train as a nursing assistant, you will need:
- a secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent qualification, or a successfully completed vocational training programme
- in special cases: a positive assessment of academic aptitude (e.g. via an admissions procedure)
- suitability in terms of health
- an extended criminal record check
- sufficient knowledge of German (at Level B2)
Training programme structure
The Nursing Assistant training programme lasts:
- 18 months full-time
- up to 36 months part-time
- In Saxony: A 24-month full-time program leading to a general education diploma (Hauptschule or Realschule diploma) is available.
It is divided into:
- 1,050 hours of theoretical and practical tuition in areas of competence and learning fields
- 1,280 hours of practical training
The training programme is designed to provide a broad-based education. You will learn how to care for people of all age groups in various care settings.
The program is organized as a dual training program. For your practical training, it is essential that you find a suitable training provider—such as a nursing home, an outpatient care service, or a hospital—that partners with us as a nursing school. We’d be happy to assist you in finding a suitable facility. Contracts between the nursing school, the practical training provider, and the training facilities ensure the program’s success.
Your compulsory placements comprise:
- a total of 680 hours with the practical training provider
- Placements in various areas of care (Nursing home, home health care, hospital)
- up to 60 hours of night duty
- at least 10 % of the placement time spent on practical supervision
Practical supervision is provided by qualified nursing staff, supplemented in some cases by nursing assistants with additional teaching qualifications.
Areas of study
The curriculum for the Nursing Assistant training program is organized into the following learning areas:
- Becoming a Nursing Assistant
- Supporting people in need of care with self-care and mobility
- Reflecting on care experiences—communicating in a way that fosters understanding
- Promoting health and taking preventive action
- Supporting people in acute and curative care situations
- Acting confidently in acute situations
- Providing rehabilitative care as part of an interprofessional team
- Accompanying people in critical life situations and during the final stages of life
- Supporting and accompanying people of all ages in shaping their lives
Application
Please submit the following documents:
- Cover letter
- CV in table format with contact details
- Passport-sized photograph (digital and printed)
- Certified copies of your qualifications
- Medical certificate
- Proof of vaccination against measles
- Proof of German language proficiency
- Recognition of foreign school qualifications, where applicable
We’d be happy to help you find a suitable training provider.
Conclusion
The state examination consists of a written, an oral and a practical component.
Once you have passed the state examination and been granted the relevant professional licence by the competent authority, you will receive state recognition as a nursing assistant.
Recognition of foreign qualifications
Foreign vocational qualifications are recognised by the relevant authority upon application. Depending on the outcome of an individual assessment, recognition may be granted following an aptitude test, a knowledge test and/or an adaptation course.
Career opportunities
With a qualification as a nursing assistant, you can work in the following areas, amongst others:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Inpatient long-term care, e.g. care homes
- Outpatient care services
- Hospices
- Day care or short-term care
- Rehabilitation facilities
Career opportunities
Once you have completed the course, you can, for example, go on to gain further qualifications in:
- Clinical supervision
- Palliative care
- Wound care
There is also the option of starting a generalist nursing training programme – in some cases with a significantly shorter duration.
Apprenticeship pay
Throughout your apprenticeship, you will receive an apprenticeship allowance from your training provider. This allowance is provided for by law and is often based on collective agreement rates. The exact amount may vary depending on the provider.
Training costs
There are no school fees.
Full-time training
The full-time Nursing Assistant training programme comprises theoretical and practical training, as well as work placements totalling up to 40 hours per week.
Funding opportunities
BAföG
The latest changes to BAföG have brought numerous improvements: there are more people entitled to funding and higher funding amounts. Please contact your education funding office. You can find the locations of all offices at www.das-neue-bafoeg.de
- BAföG can be applied for our vocational training programme. Find out more at: www.bafög.de
- AFBG: Upgrading Training Assistance Act ("Meister BAföG"). Find out more at: www.aufstiegs-bafoeg.de
- Education loan: www.kfw.de
During the interview, we will also inform you about the possibility of municipal reimbursement of travel expenses, scholarship offers and job vacancies with our cooperation partners.
Education voucher
Funding via education voucher from the employment agency or job centre (according to SGB II or III), but also possible via pension insurance providers and BFD.
Please enquire with your case manager about your personal funding options. If you fulfil the requirements, the course fees and any other costs will be covered.
Scholarship
If you perform above average in your apprenticeship and are socially committed, you can apply for a scholarship. There are numerous funding opportunities from trade union and church foundations that can help you to support your training financially. You can find more information at:
https://www.bmbf.de/DE/Bildung/Ausbildung/Auszubildende/Stipendien/stipendien_node.html
WeGebAU
Low-skilled employees, unskilled employees and employees in small and medium-sized enterprises can be supported: Your employer must release you from work for the duration of the training programme while continuing to pay your salary. Under certain conditions, the employer can be granted a wage subsidy. To do this, your employer must enquire about individual funding options at the Employer Service of the Employment Agency.
Erasmus+
If you would like to gain valuable experience abroad during your training, you can take advantage of Erasmus+ funding that has already been approved. This will cover the costs of travel, accommodation and meals during a student exchange or internship in the EU or even beyond. We will advise you on choosing a suitable placement and support you with all the organisational aspects.